Visitors rave about welcoming Pittsburgh during NFL Draft

TL;DR

Visitors Praise Pittsburgh: Out-of-town NFL Draft fans from Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, New York, and Canada called the city welcoming, beautiful, and clean.
Bengals Twins Impressed: Steve and Jeff Nagel, 59-year-old Cincinnati superfans, said locals smiled and welcomed them despite rival teams.
Return Trips Planned: Fans like the Ninnemans plan to return for Pirates games after city preparations exceeded expectations.[[1]](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2026-nfl-draft/2026/04/23/out-of-towners-impressed-by-pittsburgh/stories/202604230096)

The story at a glance

Out-of-town visitors to the first day of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh praised the city's beauty, walkability, recent improvements, and especially the friendliness of residents regardless of team loyalties. Fans like Bengals superfans Steve and Jeff Nagel from Ohio, Packers fan Christopher Ninneman from Indiana, Jets supporter Jack Kelly from New York, and Canadians Dave Kidd and Elvie Basit shared positive first impressions. The article reports these reactions on April 23, 2026, the draft's opening night on the North Shore. Pittsburgh won the bid to host two years earlier and prepared with beautification efforts.[[1]](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2026-nfl-draft/2026/04/23/out-of-towners-impressed-by-pittsburgh/stories/202604230096)

Key points

Bengals twins Steve and Jeff Nagel, 59-year-old Dayton superfans with 44 years of Cincinnati season tickets, wore matching tiger-print suits and plan to return after calling the city beautiful.
Christopher Ninneman, 31, from Indianapolis, said Pittsburgh's draft is the most city-integrated he's seen at five events, praising walkable streets, buildings, and landscape.
Sam Dean from Tennessee drove 12 hours, loved the view through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, and called a Primanti Bros. sandwich "absolutely delicious."
Jack Kelly, 21, from New York, got fist bumps from locals despite Jets paint and changed his view of Pittsburgh fans and the city.
Canadians Dave Kidd and Elvie Basit found residents eager to guide them, describing Pittsburgh as clean, friendly, and fun despite U.S.-Canada tensions.
Recent finishes: Market Square and Arts Landing, part of Gov. Josh Shapiro's $600 million, 10-year Downtown plan including office-to-apartment conversions.
Other preparations: trash pickup, black-and-gold flowers Downtown, painted railroad trestles.[[1]](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2026-nfl-draft/2026/04/23/out-of-towners-impressed-by-pittsburgh/stories/202604230096)

Details and context

Pittsburgh officials prepared for months after winning the 2026 NFL Draft bid two years ago, aiming to showcase the city and encourage return visits. Mayor Corey O'Connor stressed that details like flowers and trestles matter.

Development accelerated 18 months ago with Gov. Josh Shapiro's $600 million plan for Downtown revamps, public spaces, and housing conversions. Two projects, Market Square and Arts Landing, finished in the last two weeks.

Visitors noted the greenery filling river valleys and how locals welcomed them with smiles and help, even rival fans seated in the NFL Draft Theater's inner circle for die-hards.

Many first-timers surpassed low expectations and planned comebacks, like Ninneman's family for a Pirates game at PNC Park.[[1]](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2026-nfl-draft/2026/04/23/out-of-towners-impressed-by-pittsburgh/stories/202604230096)

Key quotes

“It is amazing how many people have smiled and said, ‘Welcome to Pittsburgh,’” Steve Nagel said Thursday afternoon. “When you have a passion about your city or where you’re from, [there’s] a need to welcome people who have never been there.”[[1]](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2026-nfl-draft/2026/04/23/out-of-towners-impressed-by-pittsburgh/stories/202604230096)

“I just couldn’t believe how beautiful the city was,” said Jeff Nagel. “We will definitely come back.”[[1]](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2026-nfl-draft/2026/04/23/out-of-towners-impressed-by-pittsburgh/stories/202604230096)

“Bringing in the city to be a part of it, I think you guys are No. 1,” Christopher Ninneman said. “It’s got a great landscape, the buildings are beautiful, the streets are walkable, everything is very cohesive.”[[1]](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2026-nfl-draft/2026/04/23/out-of-towners-impressed-by-pittsburgh/stories/202604230096)

Why it matters

The 2026 NFL Draft puts Pittsburgh in the national spotlight, highlighting its transformation from industrial past to a welcoming, revitalized city. Fans and visitors gain a positive view that could boost tourism, local businesses, and future events like Pirates games. Watch attendance over the remaining two days and any follow-up surveys on visitor plans to return.

FAQ

Q: What specific city preparations impressed 2026 NFL Draft visitors?

A: Visitors noted trash pickup, black-and-gold flowers in Downtown baskets, painted railroad trestles, and recent finishes like Market Square and Arts Landing from Gov. Josh Shapiro's $600 million plan. These made streets walkable and the landscape cohesive. Greenery filled river valleys around the draft area.

Q: How did Pittsburgh residents treat out-of-town fans?

A: Locals smiled, said "Welcome to Pittsburgh," gave fist bumps, and offered guidance regardless of team. Bengals twins Steve and Jeff Nagel called it amazing. Canadians Dave Kidd and Elvie Basit found them eager to share city pride.

Q: Which visitors changed their opinion of Pittsburgh?

A: Jets fan Jack Kelly, 21, from New York no longer hates Pittsburgh fans after locals' friendliness. He assumed the city matched that view but found it welcoming. Packers fan Christopher Ninneman said it far surpassed expectations.

Q: What food did one visitor highlight from Pittsburgh?

A: Sam Dean from Tennessee tried a Primanti Bros. sandwich and called it "absolutely delicious," planning to eat there again. He drove 12 hours and praised the Fort Pitt Tunnel view.

[[1]](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2026-nfl-draft/2026/04/23/out-of-towners-impressed-by-pittsburgh/stories/202604230096)